The desire for knowledge increased, and especially did I want a thorough acquaintance with the contents of the bible.

I have gathered scattered pages from this holy book, from the filthy street gutters of Baltimore, and washed and dried them, that in the moments of my leisure, I might get a word or two of wisdom from them.

While thus religiously seeking knowledge, I became acquainted with a good old colored man, named Lawson.

A more devout man than he, I never saw.

He drove a dray for Mr.James Ramsey, the owner of a rope-walk on Fell's Point, Baltimore.